Front Gardens/Yards in the ACT … Appearance

Anyone know the rules/regulations/requirements that apply to the maintenance of front gardens/yards of private properties in the suburbs of Canberra? Or where to find such? In our area I have begun to notice an increase in the number of private houses that seem to be using the front areas of the property for either the storage of derelict cars (I have counted up to nine such vehicles in the driveway and yard of one otherwise normal sized, detached porperty — only about three of which appear driveable), the long-term placing of mid-sized shipping containers, even in one case a derelict caravan that seems to have been in place long enough to have a small tree grow up through its body. All these, however, are topped by the full-size, mobile crane that I have seen parked for ten years (with apparently never having been moved) in the front yard of a house in the suburb of Chifley.

The ACT government will jump pretty quickly when such situations are brought to their attention and which affect street verges. However, I have been able to elicit little response from them when it comes to such situations as those described above.

The condition in which a neighbour keeps his or her property affects the property values of others living around the area. It also impacts upon the general atmosphere of a street. A tone begins to be set which can all too quickly bring all down and, again, has a considerable impact on property values.

The “rules/regulations/requirements” are that you should mind your own business and allow people to do whatever they like with their own land unless a fire danger exists due to being overgrown.

So if I move next door to you and masturbate bonobo style all day, you’re cool with that?

Well although I am not an expert on all the different styles of masturbating as you seem to be, “bonobo” style is probably acceptable so long as you do not break any laws governing indecent exposure. I know of no laws that restricts a collector of old cars using his front yard as storage of his collection. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I think you’ll find those that care less are those that don’t own the property. I’ve found mostly people who own (mortgage) the house they live in give a s***, while renters (not all but some) don’t give a stuff what the yard looks like.

It is very likely there is a condition in the crown lease (lease of the land from the Territory) that the owner of the property must repair and maintain the premises to the satisfaction of the Territory.

If you feel that the owner of the property is not complying with this, you can complain to the land regulation unit of ACTPLA (now called ESDD).

Keep in mind however, just because you can complain, doesn’t necessarily mean you should…

Being reasonably house proud is usually a sign of private ownership so it’s surprising that so many in your area go against this human instinct. In our area (Ainslie) most privately owned properties are well and often lovingly maintained – and when public housing properties are sold there’s usually a marked improvement in their appearance. Still, there are a few privately owned properties that go against the trend and where owners (or tenants?) raise a metaphorical middle finger to their neighbourhoods by maintaining highly visible wreckers’ yards rather than gardens.

There are certainly in theory strict rules about the maintenance of public housing. According to Housing ACT’s website, tenants are obliged to ‘maintain front and rear yards to an acceptable community standard’ (which rules out e.g. leaving car wrecks in the front yard) and caravans are similarly banned in front yards. Of course, the enforcement of these rules can be another question…

I’d be interested if you find out whether there are also rules relating to private properties.

Maybe they don’t really give a toss what their garden looks like. Obviously there is a line to be drawn here somewhere in regards to health and safety etc. but I don’t think forcing your own standards of aestheticism on your neighbours is a reasonable course of action. Besides, everyone knows that gardening is only something done by old retirees to distract them from the looming spectre of death.

The “rules/regulations/requirements” are that you should mind your own business and allow people to do whatever they like with their own land unless a fire danger exists due to being overgrown.

So if I move next door to you and masturbate bonobo style all day, you’re cool with that?

Well although I am not an expert on all the different styles of masturbating as you seem to be, “bonobo” style is probably acceptable so long as you do not break any laws governing indecent exposure. I know of no laws that restricts a collector of old cars using his front yard as storage of his collection. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So now I’ve been exposed to a Primate Masturbation Megamix in my pursuit to find out more about “bonobo” style. The internet takes me to some dark, dark places when I least expect it and I’m glad no-one is looking over my shoulder.

Our street started to resemble a caravan park but the government inspector said there was no problem with it. One caravan has since been joined by a tent and 6-8 cars in the one yard. Meantime I am not allowed to have a fence to keep my dog safe.

The “rules/regulations/requirements” are that you should mind your own business and allow people to do whatever they like with their own land unless a fire danger exists due to being overgrown.

So if I move next door to you and masturbate bonobo style all day, you’re cool with that?

Well although I am not an expert on all the different styles of masturbating as you seem to be, “bonobo” style is probably acceptable so long as you do not break any laws governing indecent exposure. I know of no laws that restricts a collector of old cars using his front yard as storage of his collection. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So now I’ve been exposed to a Primate Masturbation Megamix in my pursuit to find out more about “bonobo” style. The internet takes me to some dark, dark places when I least expect it and I’m glad no-one is looking over my shoulder.

I soooooo hope you work for a fed govt dept, and get to explain to your IT security team why you were watching a Primate Masturbation Megamix at work!

The “rules/regulations/requirements” are that you should mind your own business and allow people to do whatever they like with their own land unless a fire danger exists due to being overgrown.

So if I move next door to you and masturbate bonobo style all day, you’re cool with that?

Well although I am not an expert on all the different styles of masturbating as you seem to be, “bonobo” style is probably acceptable so long as you do not break any laws governing indecent exposure. I know of no laws that restricts a collector of old cars using his front yard as storage of his collection. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

So now I’ve been exposed to a Primate Masturbation Megamix in my pursuit to find out more about “bonobo” style. The internet takes me to some dark, dark places when I least expect it and I’m glad no-one is looking over my shoulder.

I wasn’t game to travel that path. I shuddered enough whilst being made to ponder on Pork Hunt’s masturbation styles or if I would be cool if he did it all day whilst living next door me.

At the moment, my front yard is less than stellar. That’s because I’m (very slowly) redoing the back yard. I’ve had one person approach me about fixing it up. They got a bit agitated when I suggested that it was a splendid idea, and they were free to do it while I concentrated on the back. Funnily enough, they never showed up to help. How rude…

Oh my lordy no! Do you mean this person has the hide to have some work vehicles parked in his front yard. Why on earth can’t he keep those disgusting things out of sight, just imagine the horror of driving past that each day. Call the police!

it’s really difficult and i agree a total eye-sore and ruins the look/vibe/value of a suburb. all these people saying to mind your own business are being fools. i think people have the right to expect they can live in a peaceful, safe and aesthetically pleasing space where others are not inconsiderate (including with noise, property etc)

it’s funny…i landscaped my front lawn (when all others in the area had just left theirs with weeds and done nothing) and got a letter to send the new plans for approval…wtf? there was no structural change – just made it look nicer.

yet in these examples, rusted cars and cranes and so on are all A-OK

ACTPLA or whoever need to pull their head out and tackle actual issues

i feel bad for you at any rate…i understand why you’d be frustrated and i certainly don’t miss suburb house life

Besides, everyone knows that gardening is only something done by old retirees to distract them from the looming spectre of death.

You rang?

Rob1936 said :

ignore some of the previous comments

+1

To an extent someone else’s style, sense of aesthetics, interest in gardening, etc IS none of your business, but funnily enough even governments and estate developers meddle in that, eg front fence rules and the guidelines for the Googong development that I was reading recently. Some I agree with and can see what big picture the rule makers were trying to achieve and some I don’t get the purpose of at all. I suppose where to draw the line is sometimes open to debate.
However, there are things which can be the death knell of the amenity of a neighbourhood.
In my street there’s some caravans and small work vehicles visible in the streetscape, there’s landscaping some of which is not to my taste at all, there’s front yards that obviously aspire to nothing more than basic neatness, it all works fine, everyone’s got what they want and can handle, and as a whole it looks like a pleasant suburban neighbourhood.
But I and people I know have experienced living in streets that accumulate the signs of what would you call it, industrialisation?, instead of suburbia. I always figured it could be an idea to develop suburbs that cater for some of those people (I mean the ones with different priorities, not the ones who just don’t care at all). A friend had an old unregistered car out back kept for spare parts for the car they used. I do understand. But if you really want a big collection of them and you’re not interested in any green in your surrounds, then perhaps there should be an availability of alternative suburban styles (eg allowing bigger garages and not requiring extra setbacks of garage doors like I saw in one document, the garage door must not dominate the facade apparently, that sounded petty even to me). That would benefit both those people and the rest of us who choose to buy into traditional garden style suburbia.
Anyway, best of luck TwainandHume, hope it all works out for you. Hard to say how, sometimes it’s you that decides to go and sometimes they go and the rest of the street cheers. Hope things work out alright for you soon.

I feel that if we choose to live in an urban community that a basic effort should be made. I understand that not everyone is into gardening or has the time but a bit respect should be maintained.

Some people just take the piss. A car or 2, a work truck is one thing but if your into having 10 cars in your front yard, half of them in peices with a community of rats living in them – think about your neighbours.

If you need a approval for a permanent structure in your front yard – some of these front yards have some serious ‘permanent’ rusting structures.